Arequipa Attractions

Inner City

The city’s splendid Plaza de Armas is the ideal starting point for a day of exploration, or to rest your feet at the end of one. Lined with palm trees and oleander shrubs, the Plaza’s lush grass, gurgling fountains, and ornate lampposts and benches make it a very pleasant spot to sit and admire the surrounding colonial arcades and churches.

Occupying the entire north side of the plaza is the Basilica Cathedral, whose twin spires elegantly frame the volcano Misti in the background. Boasting an exterior in the French inspired neo-classic style, the Cathedral was originally constructed in 1656 but was rebuilt in 1844 due to severe damage sustained through fires and multiple earthquakes. Upon entering, visitors will be greeted by a baroque-style cream interior trimmed in white, 12 carved Italian marble columns depicting the apostles, a large organ made in Belgium, and a neo-gothic French pulpit.

An equally impressive church lies just across the plaza: the 1654 Jesuit church, Iglesia de La Compañía, whose intricately carved baroque façade is one of the most impressive examples of the Peruvian mestizo style. The main altar is an elaborately carved, gold-leafed cedar monument to the Jesuits' founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola, Jesus, and Mary, who are depicted in its niches. Inside the church one may access the side chapel dedicated to St. Ignatius; a former sacristy whose walls are covered with brilliant frescos depicting angels, warriors, and the four evangelists amidst a colorful jungle backdrop of tropical flora and fauna.

Heading slightly away from the central area of the Historic Center, is the Convento de La Recoleta, a Franciscan monastery, located a 15-minutes’ walk across the Grau Bridge over the Rio Chili in a suburb called Antiquilla. This 1648 monastery houses several cloisters made in the local Viceroyal style and a museum displaying vast pre-Columbian and Amazon collections brought back from Franciscan missionaries. Admission to the Monastery is around S/.6 ($2).

Undoubtedly the gem of Arequipa, the Convento de Santa Catalina is one of the greatest pleasures to visit while in the city. Occupying an entire block and completely enclosed by an imposing stone wall, this sumptuous 16th-century cloistered convent is literally a city with a city; tiny plazuelas, flower filled alleys, and cobble stone streets entwine intricately within its walls. The convent was founded by a rich widow by the name of Maria de Guzman, and originally constructed to house the daughters of the city’s wealthiest and most distinguished families, as it was once tradition for the second born child of either gender to enter into religious service. The 23,900 square-yard (20,000 m2) convent is in the Moorish mudejar style, and is characterized by brightly painted and mosaic-tiled walls. Once completely off-limits to outsiders, today there are approximately 20 nuns living in the northern corner of the complex, while the rest of the space is open to the public.

Additionally, you could spend a good part of the morning or afternoon visiting the city’s countless colonial casonas and mansions, spread out between the center and nearby suburbs. Worth mentioning for their exquisitely maintained, 18th century baroque-mestizo style are Casa de Moral and its impressive collection of paintings from the Escuela Cuzqueña; Casa Tristán del Pozo, whose ornate entrance is of immeasurable architectural beauty; and Mansión del Fundador, a fine-looking colonial mansion in the nearby suburb of Huasacache. Once the property of the founder of Arequipa, Don Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, the mansion is outfitted with original antique paintings and furnishings.

Surrounding Areas

The campiña is a nearby weekend destination for local Arequipeños, who mainly take advantage of the area’s excellent open-air dining establishments. The main attraction for out-of-town visitors is the Molino de Sabandía, a large 17th -century water-powered mill made of sillar stone which in still in operation. The sheer size and age of the mill, coupled with its striking presence in such a green countryside, is what makes this such a highly visited site. You can reach the Molino easily by taking a S/.10 ($3.50) taxi from the city, and admission is around S/.6 ($2).